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Newsletter of Chester Presbyterian Church November 2017
No Longer Strangers…
We began 2017 with an anticipated shortfall in the budget, a deficit. Thank you to each household that committed financially to our 2017 budget and all who contribute to it. Regretfully, we have not reduced the deficit, $60,000, despite your generous contributions and conscien-tious spending/planning on the part of session and the various ministry committees of the church. In an effort to close the deficit before the end of the year, the session has earmarked remaining Miracle funds ($22,000) and funds that had been set aside for the possibility of changing the new sign to electronic messaging ($5,000), to meet this goal. Session and its Finance commit-tee continue working diligently to reduce the deficit and to develop ave-nues for additional revenue generation for the future. However, there remains an anticipated gap of roughly $33,000 for 2017. The session asks for your help in closing the gap. In the spirit of “Black Friday,” “Small Business Saturday,” and “Cyber Monday,” the session has desig-nated November 21 as “Thankful Tuesday” at CPC. On that day the session asks each household to consider an extra gift of financial gener-osity to the church operating budget for 2017. In recent years, several members have said to me, “The congregation always responds when asked.” Another leader shared the story of how their household, considering this year’s deficit, committed to raising their weekly giving by 50% for ten weeks as a way to help. As noted above, the session is exploring creative ways to increase the revenue needed to fund ministries on this corner. Their work included an up-to-date rental policy and a planned giving program for sustaining the work of Christ in this place for years to come. Creative ideas include a craft bizarre, art show, even a food truck festival. Each of these has great potential for the future. Still, the present remains. So it is that I invite you to join me in answering the session’s call for a “Thankful Tuesday” of extra generous giving from each of us. On our November 21 “Thankful Tuesday” let’s give generously to close the gap! Shalom,
Hanging of the Greens
Sunday, December 3, following 11:00AM worship
Help decorate the church, inside and out, for Advent and Christmas! The Chrismon tree will be decorated, can-dles will be placed in windows, wreaths displayed, nativity scenes set out and more. If you are available to help, please join the Strengthening and Fellowship Committee on December 3.
A light lunch will be provided.
Home Communion is available
to sick or housebound members.
Please contact Nancy Gefvert, 804-768-7627 or
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Musical Notes from Jim Dorn
I wish to thank the Chancel Choir for their extra efforts and fine work in our collaboration with the choir from Grace Lutheran Church. On Sunday, October 22, we arrived promptly at Grace Lutheran on Harrowgate Road for a 7:45A.M. rehears-al, and then we sang for their 8:45A.M. service. Their choir then joined us at CPC for our 11:00A.M. service.
The Chancel Choir also worked diligently to learn the Pachelbel Antiphonal Motet, Nun danket alle Gott, for Reformation Sunday, October 29, with a Trombone Quartet accompaniment!
This All Saints Sunday, November 5, will also include special music: Jayden Robbins, our talented boy soprano, will sing the Pie Jesu from the Fauré Requiem at the 11:00am Service.
On Sunday, November 12, JOYFUL NOISE will sing at both services.
On Tuesday, November 14, the VCU Trombone Choir and Friends will present a Concert at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. Special guest artist will be the renowned jazz trombonist, Harry Watters. Eighteen trombones will perform selections of various styles; and a jazz ensemble will perform with Mr. Watters. Earlier that evening, a small group will also play a few jazz selections during Grace Café.
Also save the date to two fine concerts in December. On Tuesday, December 5 at 7:00P.M., trumpet and voice; and on Tuesday, December 19 at 7:30P.M. the Richmond Brass and Percussion Consort will present their annual Christmas Concert.
The annual Children’s Christmas Pageant will be on Sunday, December 17.
CCHASM Thanksgiving Meal Gift Package 2017
We are participating in this program to provide complete Thanksgiving meals for families in need. We are committed to providing 50 complete gift packages consisting of 10 dry components plus a $15 gift card (Kroger, Walmart, Food Lion, or Publix).
There is a board with in the narthex 3x5 cards available for either dry ingredients or a $15 gift card. Please consider taking one or more cards and donating to this vital program. All ingredients and gift cards need to be returned by Sunday morning, November 12, to the narthex on the cart provided.
The Youth will consolidate all ingredients and gift cards to be turned into CCHASM on November 13. For further info, contact Cliff Noe
Thank you and God Bless. All your prayers, cards, phone calls, helped and were such a comfort. Marian, you were so dear to come by, and call. Joan, thank you for standing by to drive me to my doctor’s appointment. I’m doing well once again. Hope to return to church soon on a more regular basis. Love to all, Kelly Cahill
I wish to thank all my church family for all the prayers, cards, phone calls and their love and sympathy in the loss of my grand-daughter, Chelsea Hardt Hadden. May God bless you all and keep you in His care. Thank you, Edith Turner family
Youth Group 11/12/17:
Build CCHASM Baskets,
Dessert, Fun!
Attention all youth, we will be having dessert during youth group on 11/12 at 5:30. We will then build 50 CCHASM Thanksgiving Baskets to be delivered on 11/13 to CCHASM for distribution.
After that, fun activity. Parents, we will need desserts provided, pies, etc. Please let Cliff Noe, know if you can bring something and what. [email protected].
My family and I would like to thank everyone at Chester for the cards and expressions of support and sympathy during my mother, Beatrice Stanford’s, illness and passing. We found comfort and strength knowing that we were kept in everyone's prayers during this time.
Joan Stanford
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Ushers and Greeters Needed
If you have ever considered being a part of this welcoming ministry, please contact David and Susan Hendler (732-690-2304, [email protected] or [email protected]) for information as additional ushers and greeters are needed. It’s an easy way to volunteer and a great way to meet new friends!
Preschool Pizza Pickup
Thank you for supporting the Chester Presbyterian Preschool’s Pizza Kit Fundraiser! The pizza kits can be picked up on Tuesday, November 7 between the hours of 9:30A.M. – 2:00P.M. in the Fellow-ship Hall. If you are unable to pick-up your order on November 7 please contact Kim Hopkins at 748-9465 or [email protected].
Welcome New Member
Welcome Linda Guthrie to CPC! Linda has worshipped with us and participated in activities and programs here for many years and decided it was time to make it official. Now retired, Linda has just moved into a new home, and has a deep love for animals. Fellow CPC member, Katherine George is her sister .
Chrismon Crafts Tuesday, November 28 during Grace Café, a table will be set up to make
Chrismons for your home or for the tree that will be in the fellowship hall
during Advent.
Come have dinner and then begin to get in the spirit of the holidays.
Instruction will be provided and interpretation of what different symbols
mean will be given.
New Adult Ed Offerings
Sundays, October 29 - November 26:
Reading the Bible for Understanding - Tim and Autumn Fesperman - Pastors' Gallery
This study introduces important means to consider when interpreting different parts of the Bible: narratives, poetry and wisdom, and letters. It also reviews what Reformed and Presbyterian Christians believe about the nature of the Bible, and texts and translations that are available to us. The Prophets Still Speak - Heidi Campbell - 2nd Fl CR
Old Testament prophets were concerned with many of the same issues as Christians today: issues of righteous-ness, obedience, social justice, and visions of hope for the future. This study explores how what the prophets proclaimed to the people of their time still has urgency and importance for our time, as well.
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Our Food Pantry needs your help!
On average our church provides food for 3-5 families per week. Following are November’s “foods of the week.” As al-ways, $10 Kroger cards are needed and appre-ciated. Thank you!
11/5 Hamburger Helper / Mac and Cheese
11/12 Cereal
11/19 Pasta Sauce / Pasta
11/26 Rice
Men of the Church The November
Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, November 4, at 8:00A.M. Please come out for a fun time, breakfast, fellowship, and Bible study.
For more details, contact
Cliff Noe, [email protected]
White Board Grace!
Look for “White Board Grace” located in the
narthex. The idea is simple, each
week staff will post a word or
phrase on the board and every-
one is invited to leave a comment
on that week’s word. Together we
will create a weekly devotional.
So brush up your board writing
skills!
Stewardship Highlight for November: This month we highlight two committees and their mission at Chester Presbyterian Church: The Strengthening and Fellowship Committee's mission is to encourage personal ties in the congregation through fel-lowship opportunities. These include meals, support in good times and bad, and friendship. The 1st Sunday lunches are an example of a time the congregation can gather and make or renew friendships with other CPC members and guests. The work of this committee is vital to the life of the congregation and its long-range growth. Many hands are needed for this important work. The chair of Strengthening and Fellowship is Brad Peebles. The 2017 budget is $1250. The Worship Committee coordinates worship service activities and provides many opportunities to experience and learn of God's love for us. This is done through scripture, music, prayer, and thoughtful sermons. Our congregation actively par-ticipates in worship services in a variety of roles: scripture reading, singing of joyful music, preparation and serving of com-munion, receiving new members, assisting with baptisms, delivering mission messages, providing floral arrangements, greet-ing visitors, ushering and assisting the minister as Lay Leaders. The entire music program falls under the Worship commit-tee. The chair of Worship is Pete Lehman. The 2017 budget is $9,650 ($6,620 for music).
Grace Café welcomes you
for dinner every Tuesday
5:30 – 6:30P.M.
(please note new hours)
Lunch Bunch will gather at Jiang's Chinese restaurant on November
12, 12:45P.M. It's located on Carmia Way, two stop lights east of Courthouse Rd/Huguenot Rd at Chesterfield Town Center. Invite a friend, someone new or just come yourself for some food and relaxing fun with others. If you would like to carpool, let us know and we will be happy to arrange a ride for you. And, as always, please let us know if you will be joining us. Looking forward to seeing you! -Bob & Marnie
Military Care Packages: If you have a loved one, friend or neighbor in the military sta-
tioned away from home, please send their name, rank and address to Nancy Gefvert by Novem-
ber 14. Care packages are being assembled for military members who are deployed or stationed
far from home. Personnel on submarines are specifically included. Contact Nancy Gefvert
(804-768-7627 or email [email protected] ).
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CHESTER
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
3424 W Hundred Rd
Chester, VA 23831
God’s call to Chester Presbyterian Church is to:
Deliver God’s Word. Grow in Faith. Serve All People.
CPC Session in Review
October Session Highlights
In October the Session met with the following outcomes:
Approved using undesignated “Miracle” funds and $5,000 designated for possible electronic sign upgrade toward 2017 budget. Set November 21 as “Thankful Tuesday” for extra giving appeal. Finance Committee is addressing other ways to close deficit budget for 2017.
Plans are being made for a December 17 silent auction of
Nativity scenes. Proceeds will be split between the Music Program and operating funds.
Approved: new building-use rental agreement guidelines, rental
agreement and fee schedule. Property Committee continues to research freezer replacement. October 21 POJ Commissioner: Pete Lehman, Susan Mapes November 5, 2017: Healing will be the theme of both services. November 12, 2017: Commitment Sunday.
Remember to make your
amazon.com purchases through
AmazonSmile.
When you select Chester Presbyterian Church as your desired
charitable recipient, Amazon will
donate 1/2 of 1% of purchases
to the church!
Our unique charity link:
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-3201660
Christmas Mother
The Women of the Church are collecting for the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother. This year we are sponsoring a single mother with 3 children. If donating cash, please use the envelopes in the pews marked “Christmas Mother”. If writing a check, please make it out to the church and in the memo line note it is for PW Christmas Mother account. And once again, we thank you for your gener-osity during this special Christmas season.
Confirmation Field Trip:
Attention all Confirmands, we will go
on a field trip Tuesday, 11/7 to Histor-
ic Polegreen Church, lunch, then visit
the Chesterfield Food Bank. We will
meet at church at 9:00 am, departing at
9:15, and returning to church by 3:00
pm. For more information, contact
Cliff Noe – [email protected].
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Staff Contact Information
804-748-4636
Gordon B. Mapes, III
Pastor
Linn Coghill
Membership Coordinator
James Dorn
Director of Music
Jacqueline Poliquin
Church Administrator
Kim Hopkins
Preschool Director
748-9465
Sandra Walker
Financial Secretary
Administration Your administrator has been thinking a lot about light and lighting. Sometimes light is so very much more than the absence of darkness. At home, my closet light failed. I was lucky to have my brother visiting this week. He never disappoints: he went with me to the hardware store and then removed the old
and installed the new light fixture. Wonderful! No more rooting around in the dark for a shoe. At CPC we’ve had a similar event: the exterior light globes were damaged by the hail storm last spring. Insurance claim made and accepted, we got the go-ahead to replace the globes. Well, you don’t have to tell Don Geisler twice: he ordered the replacements. This week, the new globes arrived and, thanks to our wonderful volunteers, Don Geisler and Frank Hartsoe, they are installed and the lights are looking good. Let there be light!
First Sunday Fellowship November 5: Stay for soup and a sandwich following 11:00AM worship on November 5, visit with your CPC family and friends, and help celebrate Jessie and Jeb’s upcoming wedding. Unwind, relax and let lunch be on us.
Christmas Poinsettias: Yes, it’s that time of year already – time to place your order for poinsettias that will help decorate our sanctuary
during Advent and Christmas. If you wish to place a poinsettia in the church, please complete the form below
and return it to Linn Coghill’s mailbox by November 19. The cost is $15.00 per plant. Please submit your order,
along with your check, as soon as possible. Order forms are also available in the narthex. Checks payable to
Chester Presbyterian Church must accompany your completed order form. (Checks only, no cash please.)
____________________________________________________________ Please print exactly how you wish your name placed in the bulletin: Name: _________________________________________________ Number of poinsettias @ $15.00 each: _________ In memory of: __________________________________________ In honor of: ____________________________________________ Total amount of attached check: $_____________ (no cash please)
